BROXOPP (_with a smile_). You’re my business partner, Nancy. I’ve no secrets from you. If you don’t mind, Sir Roger? TENTERDEN. It is just as Mrs. Chillingham wishes. NANCY. You can always tell me afterwards, Jim. BROXOPP. Nonsense, we may want your help. (_To TENTERDEN_) I remember once putting a little money into a mine, which a friend had spoken well of. My wife was very much against it—do you remember, Nancy? She said that it would be much safer in the bank. Well, she was quite right. NANCY (_sitting down again_). Of course I was. (_With a smile of remembrance_) But do you remember what fun we had watching the papers to see whether it went up or down? BROXOPP. Yes ... it went down. TENTERDEN. Ah, what mine was that? BROXOPP. Oh, I really forget now. Some Welsh gold-mine, I believe. TENTERDEN. Yes. I think I could have given you a word of warning about Welsh gold-mines, Chillingham, if you had consulted me. BROXOPP. This was long before we had the pleasure of knowing you, Sir Roger. TENTERDEN. Ah, a pity, a pity! NANCY. That’s why we’re so glad to have your help now. I should never have trusted Jim with all the money he got from Broxopp’s Beans. TENTERDEN (_wincing at the hated word_). All the money he—ah—retired with. Yes. Well, I hope, Chillingham, I really hope that we shall be able to do something for you before very long. BROXOPP. Well, I left it to you, Sir Roger. But naturally I like to know how things are going on. How are those oil shares? TENTERDEN. Oil! Oil! Ah yes! Well, we have lost a little there. (_With a charming smile_) You know how it is, Mrs. Chillingham. One loses a little here, and picks up a little more there.... Yes, I have been disappointed over the oil. NANCY. I always think that something safe, however little interest it pays, is—is safest. TENTERDEN. Safer than losing it, my dear Mrs. Chillingham—all women will agree with you there—but not so pleasant as winning a little more. Your husband sold his business at an unfortunate time. Our hand was forced; we had to sell; we had to take the price they offered. Naturally your husband felt that a little speculation before investing—— And had it come off—— BROXOPP (_sharply_). Had it come off, you say? TENTERDEN. Exactly. As you know, my dear Chillingham, one loses a little here and picks up a little there. In the end, one finds that one has picked up a good deal more than one has lost. If one knows the ropes, Mrs. Chillingham. BROXOPP (_fiercely_). How much of my money have you lost? TENTERDEN (_gently_). I think, Chillingham, that that is hardly the way to put it. I am not (_with a bow_) an absconding solicitor. NANCY. (_To JIM_) Dear one! BROXOPP. I beg your pardon, Sir Roger. But I understood—— TENTERDEN (_beautifully_). My dear Chillingham, of course, of course. I will let you have a note of your investments this evening. Naturally you will wish to conduct your business yourself in the future, or to take other advice.